by Bradley Clements
GRASAC is doing exciting things in 2022! Projects that got underway in 2021 will continue to be developed, many with the aim of completion in the coming year.
The GRASAC Knowledge Sharing System (GKS) is transitioning to an updated platform as the existing one is phased out. The shift allows GRASAC to further the goals of making the GKS publicly accessible, and establishing an experience where “Indigenous users … feel like they are reading about a relative when they meet a heritage item online,” as Cara Krmpotich wrote last August. Although future, more substantial improvements to the GKS are anticipated, this year’s work will position the GKS well to continue to evolve. More on this, and how you can contribute, below.
I will be assisting with GKS project management over the coming year. In the meantime, we are delighted to welcome back Shenella Charles to take my place in administering the GRASAC newsletter and other communications. Shenella is a PhD candidate in the University of Toronto Department of History and has worked with GRASAC since 2016 as a coordinator, steering committee member, and research assistant. Thank you Shenella for taking on this role!
The new Mobile Community Research Kits are being used in pilot projects, as described in GRASAC’s last newsletter. Soon, forms to request kits will become public on GRASAC.org. In the meantime, you can request kits by contacting grasac.pm@utoronto.ca.
As always, GRASAC will work to keep you up to date on these and other developments through this newsletter. Also as always, we are excited to share news about your 2022 projects! Please share any stories that you would like to include in future newsletters here.
Best wishes to you and your relations for the coming year.